Wizard for Hire: Apprentice Needed by Obert Skye -- blog tour

Wizard for Hire: Apprentice Needed

Author: Obert Skye

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: April 2019

ISBN13: 9781629725291

Hardcover/ebook: 416 pages

FTC FYI: I received an ARC from the publisher, all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Goodreads Summary

Ozzy Toffy’s adventure, which began in Wizard for Hire, continues when one dark and windy night, he gets out of bed, jumps out his window, and walks straight into the ocean.

More than ever, Ozzy could really use the services of Rin, the wizard he hired to help find his parents — but Rin is missing, despite Ozzy’s continual attempts to contact him. And Clark, the mechanical bird his father left him, is as peculiar and vain as ever.

When a mysterious package arrives, Ozzy and his good friend Sigi are sure that the plane ticket and thumb drive they find inside are from Rin. Trying to get Clark through security at the airport proves complicated — as most things are with Clark. But when they arrive in New York, they discover there’s even more adventure in store for them.

Will Rin return and save the day? Will Ozzy figure out why he keeps walking into the ocean? Can Sigi find a way to trust her delinquent father? Will someone please appreciate Clark the way he’d like to be appreciated? For once?

Wizard for Hire: Apprentice Needed is a story filled with humor and excitement that shows us the magic in everyday things. 

My review

I really enjoyed this sequel. I liked just as much, if not more, than the first one. Obert Skye's writing is unique and very styled. I like the way he interprets humor in his books too. This book is such a fun adventure. I really loved it.

5 out of 5 stars.

Purchase links

Amazon e-book / Amazon hardcover / Deseret Book

Author links

Goodreads / Amazon author page

The Spitting Post by Jason R Barden -- book blitz

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Book Blitz for

The Spitting Post

By Jason R. Barden

The Spitting Post
By Jason R. Barden
Dark Fantasy
Paperback & ebook, 220 Pages
December 8th 2017 by The Wild Rose Press

Vincent Carpenter’s life is a wreck. He has given up his dreams. He has lost his job after an economic disaster. His ten-year marriage is crumbling. Then he awakens in a maniacal land of frighteningly vivid realism with skull trees, glowing forests, ravenous beasts, and other psychologically haunting adversity.

While traveling through this demented unearthly world, he has a chance encounter with a beautiful maiden dressed in green; before he can start a conversation, she disappears into the unknown. Vincent must try to find her at a fantastical place known as the Spitting Post. But first he must overcome many macabre misfortunes and face nightmares that question his sanity. Will he reach her? What will the Spitting Post reveal? Will he suffer more disappointment and tragedy? Or will he find peace at last?

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Excerpt

I was lost in thought when again I heard the violin’s call. It was close this time—too close. I stopped and surveyed the land with terrified eyes, growing more anxious with each passing note. The ambient tune working itself into a manic frenzy. Can’t they shut up? With that racket the beast would find us, and I knew what would happen when it did. There would be no more violin playing for that musician, and I would never find The Green Maiden.

I scanned the countryside for the insane violinist and spotted him on a small hill just to my right. When I saw his ghastly appearance, I almost wished I hadn’t found him. He was a stout man dressed in total blackness with a red violin resting against his shoulder. His skin was a brilliant white, as white as a bed sheet. On his head was a black top hat, and he wore a twisted grin on his porcelain face.

“What are you doing?” I yelled. “It will hear us!”

The man said nothing and kept playing his maddening melody.

“Are you crazy?”

The man opened his mouth wide and without moving his lips, he said, “Precisely.”

Then he began to cry tears of blood, yet still he played. The blood rolled down his face and pooled on the grass. Then I came to a grotesque realization. He was not playing for amusement; he was calling the beast.

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About the Author

Jason R. Barden began writing poetry around the age of thirteen. At age thirty-three, he transitioned into dark fantasy and horror fiction. His first novel The Spitting Post is available at Amazon and other online retailers. In addition to writing, he enjoys hiking and photography.

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Ends April 21, 2019

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Miss Adeline's Match -- blog tour/giveaway

Miss Adeline's Match

Author: Joanna Barker

Publisher: Covenant

Published: April 1st, 2019

ISBN13: 9781524408800

Paperback/e-book: 263 pages

FTC FYI: I received a copy from the publisher. All views and opinions expressed are my own.

Goodreads Summary

Miss Adeline Hayes is the perfect lady's companion: pleasant, conversational, and unceasingly proper. But when her closest friend, Charity Edgeworth, breaks off her arranged marriage without explanation, even Adeline's superior skills are put to the test. Charity's father banishes the two young women to the country, sending Adeline with a charge to find Charity a husband or suffer dire consequences.

As Adeline takes on the role of reluctant matchmaker, she discovers more than one obstacle in her path. Not only does Charity prefer escaping in books to socializing, but Adeline soon finds her own attentions distracted by the standoffish—and irritatingly handsome—Mr. Evan Whitfield. Amidst an eventful foxhunt and the unexpected arrival of Charity's former betrothed, Adeline simply doesn't have time for a battle of wits with Evan. But the two are continually drawn together until Adeline begins to question her tightly guarded convictions about love and marriage. 

However, when secrets are revealed and truths made known, Adeline must face her most fearsome obstacle yet: herself. 

My review

First of all, this cover is amazing! It really sets the tone for this book. I absolutely loved this book. It is enjoyable from start to finish. The setting is fabulous too. The authors plants intriguing seeds that kept me reading and reading (without giving away everything at once.) Adeline is a wonderful character, who plays her part of lady's companion, almost too well. I love the progressive way Adeline and Evan's relationship was written. This book is full of charm and hope. 

5 out of 5 stars. 

Purchase links

Amazon e-book / Amazon paperback / Deseret Book / Seagull Book

Author links

Amazon author page / Website / Facebook author page

Tour schedule

*April1^st: http://mybookaday.blogspotcom/, https://brightlystreet.com/, https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/,

*April 2^nd: http://empowermoms.net/, http://lifeiswhatitscalled.blogspot.com/, https://www.lovebugsandpostcards.com/

*April 3^rd: http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/, http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/

*April 4^th: http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/, http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/ , https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/ ,http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/

*April 5^th: https://www.wishfulendings.com/, http://www.kindleandme.com/, http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/, http://sweetlymadejustforyou.com/ ,http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/

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A Monster Like Me by Wendy Swore -- blog tour

A Monster Like Me

Author: Wendy Swore

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: March 5, 2019

ISBN13: 9781629725550

Hardcover/e-book: 304 pages

FTC FYI: I received an ARC from the publisher. All views and opinions expressed are my own.

Goodreads Summary

There are trolls, goblins, and witches. Which kind of monster is Sophie?

Sophie is a monster expert. Thanks to her Big Book of Monsters and her vivid imagination, Sophie can identify the monsters in her school and neighborhood. Clearly, the bullies are trolls and goblins. Her nice neighbor must be a good witch, and Sophie’s new best friend is obviously a fairy. But what about Sophie? She’s convinced she is definitely a monster because of the “monster mark” on her face. At least that’s what she calls it. The doctors call it a blood tumor. Sophie tries to hide it but it covers almost half her face. And if she’s a monster on the outside, then she must be a monster on the inside, too.

Being the new kid at school is hard. Being called a monster is even harder. Sophie knows that it’s only a matter of time before the other kids, the doctors, and even her mom figure it out. And then her mom will probably leave — just like her dad did.

Because who would want to live with a real monster?

Inspired by real events in the author’s life, A Monster Like Me teaches the importance of believing in oneself, accepting change, and the power of friendship.

My review

This is a very sweet book with a wonderful message. I loved the beginning of each chapter. Some of the entries, I felt, could be over a younger reader's head, but I enjoyed each one. I appreciated Sophie's enduring journey of self discovery. What she learned about herself and how she thought she was a "monster". Autumn, "the Witch", and Mom were wonderful, as was Kelsi. As much as I enjoyed the book, the ending where Sophia was "breaking her spell" brought tears to my eyes. It hurts my heart knowing how children and people are treated for their differences. I loved how this book was based on true events that the author experienced. This book has a wonderful message of courage, love, bravery, and believing in the magic that is in all of us. 

5 out of 5 stars.

Purchase links

Amazon e-book / Amazon hardcover / Deseret Book

Author links

Goodreads / Amazon author page / Website / Twitter

Author's Note

Sophie’s story is dear to my heart because I know how it feels to be bullied because I looked different from everyone else. When I was a child, I had a hemangioma on my forehead that stuck out so far my bangs couldn’t cover it, no matter how hard my mother tried. Because the tumor was made up of blood vessels, I could feel my heart beating inside it when I was playing hard or really upset.

The incident at the grocery store where the hydra lady says, “Hey, look kids! That girl doesn’t need a Halloween costume. She’s already got one!” is an exact quote of what a woman once said to my mother and me. Another woman told a classroom full of kids that I had the mark of the devil. Kids asked if it was a goose bump, or hamburger, or if my brains had leaked out. My dad had to chase away some bullies who had followed me home, called me names, and pushed me into the street. Sometimes, after a bad day of bullying, I wished I could just rip the mark off my face and be like everyone else—but it was a part of me, and wishing didn’t change that.

My parents decided to take an active role in educating the people around me so they would know what a hemangioma was and understand that it wasn’t icky, or gross, or contagious. Whenever we moved to a new place, my dad would go with me to the elementary school and talk to the kids about my mark and let them ask questions. After those talks, kids befriended me and noticed when bullies came around. Like Autumn, my school friends would speak up when they saw someone being mean to me, and sometimes they would stand between me and the bullies until they left me alone. I didn’t let the bullies stop me from doing what I wanted to do. I climbed trees, went swimming, wrote poetry, brought my tarantula and snakes to show-and-tell, and played in the tide pools.

This is my message to anyone who experiences bullying: Don’t let the bullies define you! I’ve been there, I know it hurts to be teased, but don’t let it stop you from doing what you want. Find something you enjoy—a hobby, talent, or challenge—and practice that skill. Know that someone out there, maybe even someone in your same school, needs a friend as much as you do. Be that friend. Stand up for each other. And know that you are not alone.

You can always find me at WendySwore.com, and I would love to hear your stories and what you thought of the book.

The Five Legends by Anasazi Foundation -- spotlight/giveaway

The Five Legends

The Anasazi Foundation

Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers

Published: January 2019

ISBN13: 978-1523098255

Paperback/e-book: 120 pages

Summary

Drawing on 30 years of helping families, this profound fable by the Anasazi Foundation illustrates the true anguish of conflict and explains how we can end war within ourselves, within our families, and even between nations.

Created in 1988 by renowned wilderness pioneers Larry D. Olsen and Ezekiel C. Sanchez (a Totonac Indian whose native name is Good Buffalo Eagle), the Anasazi Foundation invites young people, through a primitive living experience, to effect a change of heart. For over thirty years, their teachings have helped families begin anew and walk in harmony in the wilderness of the world. 

Inspired by their wisdom, this book tells the story of two brothers whose warring hearts threaten to destroy their lives and their community. Trapped in a canyon, the two brothers are rescued by a mysterious old man who perceives their need for peace. He offers to guide them home -- inviting them to open their hearts toward a New Beginning. When they agree, he teaches them the five legends of peace. And as they walk forward, they learn that we are free to create peace in our own lives--and how to do it. This discovery saves not only the brothers but ultimately their people. This poetic narrative offers us all a hopeful way out of the canyons of war, leaving behind the warring within.

Spotlight

This is a fascinating book with a good message.

Purchase links

Amazon paperback / Amazon e-book 

Amazon author page



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Catherine's Intrigue by Paige Edwards -- blog tour/giveaway

Catherine's Intrigue

Author: Paige Edwards

Publisher: Covenant

Published: March 1, 2019

ISBN13: 9781524406738

Paperback: 240 pages

FTC FYI: I received a paperback copy from the publisher. All views and opinions expressed are my own.

Goodreads Summary

To fulfill her mother's last request, twenty-four-year-old historic design specialist Catherine Pressley-Coombes travels to England in order to investigate an elusive family line. Armed with an illegible diary, she is determined to discover the identity of her mysterious ancestress. Distracted by an Elizabethan manor and unused to British country roads, Catherine runs her car into a ditch. Luckily, Nick Davidson, a handsome, hard-working local rides in on his tractor to save the day. As the down-to-earth manager of his family's estate, Nick also happens to be one of England's most eligible aristocrats.

Nick is certainly not the kind of man Catherine would fall for a man dogged by media and rumor. So why does she find the English lord so irresistible? Even though she can't overlook their differing values and beliefs, as she and Nick spend time together, their attraction deepens. While she battles through romantic turmoil, Catherine is beleaguered with far more sinister concerns: a series of unexplainable misfortunes that are not mere accidents. With her heart on the line, Catherine discovers her life is in jeopardy, and she has no idea who the perpetrator is but she has a growing suspicion that the danger might be connected to whatever secrets lie hidden in her ancestor's diary. 

Review

Wow! This book was quite the ride and I really liked it. I enjoyed the English setting and terms. This book is centered in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' principles and they are mentioned throughout. There is a different twist of knowing the antagonist right from the start and their motives. It was maddening (in a good way) to see this interaction between the "bad" and the "good". It did take away a little suspense since we knew what would/could happen, but there was one scene where they had a "thought" of what to do to Catherine, and it didn't turn out how they wanted. This book has a great balance of suspense and romance. Nick is a dreamy to-the-rescue suitor. While Catherine is battling her feelings for him and wanting to date those of her faith.  Things moved fast for them at the beginning, but I appreciated the development of their relationship as the book progressed. I did feel, at times, some scenes were not needed and I wanted more focus on the mystery of Catherine's family line, but all in all the book is well done.

4 out of 5 stars

Purchase links

Amazon ebook / Amazon paperback / Deseret Book

Author links

Goodreads / Website 

Tour Schedule

*March18^th: https://brightlystreet.com/, https://thekeeledeal.com/, http://mybookaday.com/, https://www.wishfulendings.com/, https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/

*March 19^th: http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/, http://fireandicereads.com/, http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/

*March 20^th: https://rachellechristensen.com, http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/, http://lifeiswhatitscalled.blogspot.com/, http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/

*March 21^st: http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/, https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, http://empowermoms.net/

*March 22^nd: https://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/, http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/

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Sanctuary by Traci Hunter Abramson -- blog tour/giveaway

Sanctuary

Author: Traci Hunter Abramson

Publisher: Covenant

Published: March 1st, 2019

ISBN13: 9781524407391

Paperback/ebook: 312 pages

FTC FYI: I received a copy from the publisher. All views and opinions expressed are my own.

Goodreads Summary

Kristi Hartinger has come to terms with her life as a single, thirty-something woman. She was in love . . . once. But following her boyfriend's tragic death, no one else could capture her heart. And nothing else could fill that void, though the serenity of the ocean came close. Two years ago, Kristi left the craziness of her Wall Street career behind and embraced a simpler life on her family's private island off the coast of Maine. As a resident of the small beach community, she anticipates a quiet future—until she comes face-to-face with her past.

Ace Samson is dead, or so the world believes. As a member of a secret organization known as the guardians, he was forced to fake his death years ago, leaving everything behind when he became an agent. So when he is selected to offer a potential new recruit a job with the organization, Ace braces himself: for the first time in more than a decade, he must face the woman he loved—and left.

Kristi's world is rocked by Ace's sudden reappearance, and she's soon drawn into his world of danger and cover-up. But when Kristi herself becomes a target, Ace will do whatever it takes to protect the only woman he has ever loved. 

Review

Sanctuary is another triumph for Traci Hunter Abramson. I loved this book. Her writing, as always, is perfect. The characters are stellar, the plot is twisting and suspenseful. This book has it all. I loved the different plot of this one. Ace is presumed dead, but comes back into Kristi's life, as she is needed to help the Guardians. Right away, there is danger lurking and everyone has their secrets. Old characters make an appearance and the bad guys, well they're bad! This book is part of a series, but they can be read as stand alones. As always with Traci's books, there is action, romance and page turning wonderfulness. 

5 out of 5 stars.

Purchase

Amazon Kindle / Amazon paperback / Deseret Book / Seagull Book

Author info

Goodreads / Amazon author page / Twitter / Website

Schedule

*March 11^th: https://thekeeledeal.com/, http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/, http://mybookaday.com/

*March 12^th: http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://empowermoms.net/, http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/

*March 13^th: http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/, http://fireandicereads.com/, http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/,https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/

*March 14^th: https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/, http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/,https://www.wishfulendings.com/, https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com/

*March 15^th: https://brightlystreet.com/, https://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/, http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/, http://sweetlymadejustforyou.com/

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